Happy anniversary, Mukilteo Library!

By Brandon Gustafson | Sep 26, 2018

Photo by: Brandon GustafsonTwo groups of North Seattle Chinese dancers performed during the anniversary celebration. According to Jane Crawford, managing librarian for the Mukilteo Library, the dancers use one of the rooms at the Mukilteo Library for rehearsals.

The Mukilteo Library marked 20 years in its new location with an anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 22.

One of the most common stomping grounds for seniors, students, and, really, Mukilteo residents of any age, the Mukilteo Library (4675 Harbour Pointe Blvd.) opened its doors in 1998 and hasn’t looked back.

City Council President Steve Schmalz and Councilmembers Bob Champion and Anna Rohrbough attended the small event, which had cake, past newspaper clippings from The Beacon and other publications that covered events at the library, and harp music, as well as dancing performances by North Seattle Chinese Dancers.

Jane Crawford, managing librarian for the Mukilteo Library, said the dancers use the library’s conference rooms for rehearsal.

Crawford spoke briefly to the small crowd, thanking them for attending the celebration and for showing their appreciation of the library.

“It’s a really well-loved library,” she said. “Mukilteo is a really close-knit community, and everyone is welcome here.”

Crawford also acknowledged Lois Livingston, a former Mukilteo librarian, who attended the celebration. Livingston, a former Mukilteo Citizen of the Year, was the librarian back when the library was at Rosehill.

Former Mukilteo City Councilmember Harold Quinby also spoke, giving some history on getting the library up and running.

Quinby was on the council from 1994 to 2001, and said one of their main goals was finding an easily accessible location for the library.

“We thought this location would be perfect as it’s close to both Olympic View and Harbour Pointe Middle School,” Quinby said. “We were able to make it happen with the help of the city and Sno-Isle, who helped fund the library.”

In 1996, Mukilteo voters agreed to bond themselves for $2.8 million to help build the Mukilteo Library in Harbour Pointe, as well as annex to the Sno-Isle Libraries System.

Mukilteo had been without a library for about 3 1/2 years, and the 15,000-square-foot library officially opened its doors on July 27, 1998.